Gamow Shell Model Research Articles

Search for excited states in O25

Theoretical calculations suggest the presence of low-lying excited states in $^{25}$O. Previous experimental searches by means of proton knockout on $^{26}$F produced no evidence for such excitations. We search for excited states in $^{25}$O using the ${ {}^{24}\text{O} (d,p) {}^{25}\text{O} }$ reaction. The theoretical analysis of excited states in unbound $^{25,27}$O is based on the configuration interaction approach that accounts for couplings to the scattering continuum. We use invariant-mass spectroscopy to measure neutron-unbound states in $^{25}$O. For the theoretical approach, we use the complex-energy Gamow Shell Model and Density Matrix Renormalization Group method with a finite-range two-body interaction optimized to the bound states and resonances of $^{23-26}$O, assuming a core of $^{22}$O. We predict energies, decay widths, and asymptotic normalization coefficients. Our calculations in a large $spdf$ space predict several low-lying excited states in $^{25}$O of positive and negative parity, and we obtain an experimental limit on the relative cross section of a possible ${ {J}^{\pi} = {1/2}^{+} }$ state with respect to the ground-state of $^{25}$O at $\sigma_{1/2+}/\sigma_{g.s.} = 0.25_{-0.25}^{+1.0}$. We also discuss how the observation of negative parity states in $^{25}$O could guide the search for the low-lying negative parity states in $^{27}$O. Previous experiments based on the proton knockout of $^{26}$F suffered from the low cross sections for the population of excited states in $^{25}$O because of low spectroscopic factors. In this respect, neutron transfer reactions carry more promise.

Quantified Gamow shell model interaction for psd -shell nuclei

The structure of weakly bound and unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines is one of the major science drivers of nuclear physics. A comprehensive understanding of these systems goes beyond the traditional configuration interactions approach formulated in the Hilbert space of localized states (nuclear shell model) and requires an open quantum system description. The complex-energy Gamow Shell Model (GSM) provides such a framework as it is capable of describing resonant and non-resonant many-body states on equal footing. To make reliable predictions, quality input is needed that allows for the full uncertainty quantification of theoretical results. In this study, we carry out the optimization of an effective GSM (one-body and two-body) interaction in the $psdf$ shell model space. The resulting interaction is expected to describe nuclei with $5 \leqslant A \leqslant 12$ at the $p-sd$-shell interface. The optimized one-body potential reproduces nucleon-$^4$He scattering phase shifts up to an excitation energy of 20 MeV. The two-body interaction built on top of the optimized one-body field is adjusted to the bound and unbound ground-state binding energies and selected excited states of the Helium, Lithium, and Beryllium isotopes up to $A=9$. A very good agreement with experiment was obtained for binding energies. First applications of the optimized interaction include predictions for two-nucleon correlation densities and excitation spectra of light nuclei with quantified uncertainties. The new interaction will enable comprehensive and fully quantified studies of structure and reactions aspects of nuclei from the $psd$ region of the nuclear chart.

Structure and decays of nuclear three-body systems: The Gamow coupled-channel method in Jacobi coordinates

${\bf Background:}$ Weakly bound and unbound nuclear states appearing around particle thresholds are prototypical open quantum systems. Theories of such states must take into account configuration mixing effects in the presence of strong coupling to the particle continuum space. ${\bf Purpose:}$ To describe structure and decays of three-body systems, we developed a Gamow coupled-channel (GCC) approach in Jacobi coordinates by employing the complex-momentum formalism. We benchmarked the new framework against the complex-energy Gamow Shell Model (GSM). ${\bf Methods:}$ The GCC formalism is expressed in Jacobi coordinates, so that the center-of-mass motion is automatically eliminated. To solve the coupled-channel equations, we use hyperspherical harmonics to describe the angular wave functions while the radial wave functions are expanded in the Berggren ensemble, which includes bound, scattering and Gamow states. ${\bf Results:}$ We show that the GCC method is both accurate and robust. Its results for energies, decay widths, and nucleon-nucleon angular correlations are in good agreement with the GSM results. ${\bf Conclusions:}$ We have demonstrated that a three-body GSM formalism explicitly constructed in cluster-orbital shell model coordinates provides similar results to a GCC framework expressed in Jacobi coordinates, provided that a large configuration space is employed. Our calculations for $A=6$ systems and $^{26}$O show that nucleon-nucleon angular correlations are sensitive to the valence-neutron interaction. The new GCC technique has many attractive features when applied to bound and unbound states of three-body systems: it is precise, efficient, and can be extended by introducing a microscopic model of the core.

Continuum effects in neutron-drip-line oxygen isotopes

The binding-energy pattern along the neutron-rich oxygen chain, governed by an interplay between shell effects and many-body correlations impacted by strong couplings to one- and two-neutron continuum, make these isotopes a unique testing ground for nuclear models. In this work, we investigate ground states and low-lying excited states of $^{23-28}$O using the complex-energy Gamow Shell Model and Density Matrix Renormalization Group method with a finite-range two-body interaction optimized to the bound states and resonances of $^{23-26}$O, assuming a core of $^{22}$O. Our results suggest that the ground-state of $^{28}$O has a threshold character, i.e., is very weakly bound or slightly unbound. We also predict narrow excited resonances in $^{25}$O and $^{27}$O. The inclusion of the large continuum space significantly impacts predicted binding energies of $^{26-28}$O. This implies that the careful treatment of neutron continuum is necessary prior to assessing the spectroscopic quality of effective interactions in this region.

Can Tetraneutron be a Narrow Resonance?

The search for a resonant four-neutron system has been revived thanks to the recent experimental hints reported in [1]. The existence of such a system would deeply impact our understanding of nuclear matter and requires a critical investigation. In this work, we study the existence of a four-neutron resonance in the quasistationary formalism using abinitio techniques with various two-body chiral interactions. We employ no-core Gamow shell model and density matrix renormalization group method, both supplemented by the use of natural orbitals and a new identification technique for broad resonances. We demonstrate that while the energy of the four-neutron system may be compatible with the experimental value, its width must be larger than the reported upper limit, supporting the interpretation of the experimental observation as a reaction process too short to form a nucleus.

Ab initio no-core solutions for 6Li

We solve for properties of 6Li in the ab initio no-core full configuration (NCFC) approach and we separately solve for its ground state and resonance with the Gamow shell model (GSM) in the Berggren basis. We employ both the JISP16 and chiral realistic nucleon–nucleon interactions and investigate the ground state energy, excitation energies, point proton root mean square (rms) radius and a suite of electroweak observables. We also extend and test methods to extrapolate the ground state energy, point proton rms radius, and electric quadrupole moment. We attain improved estimates of these observables in the NCFC approach by using basis spaces up through that enable more definitive comparisons with experiment. Using the density matrix renormalization group approach with the JISP16 interaction, we find that we can significantly improve the convergence of the GSM treatment of the 6Li ground state and resonance by adopting a natural orbital single-particle basis.

Resonance and continuum Gamow shell model with realistic nuclear forces

Starting from realistic nuclear forces, we have developed a core Gamow shell model which can describe resonance and continuum properties of loosely-bound or unbound nuclear systems. To describe properly resonance and continuum, the Berggren representation has been employed, which treats bound, resonant and continuum states on equal footing in a complex-momentum (complex-k) plane. To derive the model-space effective interaction based on realistic forces, the full Qˆ-box folded-diagram renormalization has been, for the first time, extended to the nondegenerate complex-k space. The CD-Bonn potential is softened by using the Vlow-k method. Choosing 16O as the inert core, we have calculated sd-shell neutron-rich oxygen isotopes, giving good descriptions of both bound and resonant states. The isotopes 25,26O are calculated to be resonant even in their ground states.

Gamow shell model description of radiative capture reactions 6Li(p, γ)7Be and 6Li(n, γ)7Li

Background. According to standard stellar evolution, lithium abundance is believed to be a useful indicator of the stellar age. However, many evolved stars like red giants show huge fluctuations around expected theoretical abundances that are not yet fully understood. The better knowledge of nuclear reactions that contribute to the creation and destruction of lithium can help to solve this puzzle. Purpose. In this work we apply the Gamow shell model formulated in the coupled-channel representation to investigate the mirror radiative capture reactions 6Li(p, γ)7Be and 6Li(n, γ)7Li. Method. The cross-sections are calculated using a translationally invariant Hamiltonian with the finite-range interaction which is adjusted to reproduce spectra, binding energies and one-nucleon separation energies in 6–7Li, 7Be. The reaction channels are built by coupling the wave functions of ground state and excited states , , of 6Li with the projectile wave function in different partial waves. Results. We include all relevant E1, M1, and E2 transitions from the initial continuum states to the final bound states and of 7Li and 7Be. Our microscopic astrophysical factor for the 6Li(p, γ)7Be reaction follows the average trend of the experimental value as a function of the center of mass energy. For , the calculated cross section agrees well with the data from the direct measurement of this reaction at stellar energies. Conclusion. We demonstrate that the s-wave radiative capture of proton (neutron) to the first excited state of 7Be (7Li) is crucial and increases the total astrophysical S-factor by about 40%.

Solution of a pairing problem in the continuum

We present a generalized Richardson solution for fermions interacting with the pairing interaction in both discrete and continuum parts of the single particle (s.p.) spectrum. The pairing Hamiltonian is based on the rational Gaudin (RG) model which is formulated in the Berggren ensemble. We show that solutions of the generalized Richardson equations are exact in the two limiting situations: (i) in the pole approximation and (ii) in the s.p. continuum. If the s.p. spectrum contains both discrete and continuum parts, then the generalized Richardson equations provide accurate solutions for the Gamow Shell Model.

Single-particle and collective motion in unbound deformed Mg39

Background: Deformed neutron-rich magnesium isotopes constitute a fascinating territory where the interplay between collective rotation and single-particle motion is strongly affected by the neutron continuum. The unbound $fp$-shell nucleus $ ^{39}\text{Mg} $ is an ideal candidate to study this interplay. Purpose: In this work, we predict the properties of low-lying resonant states of $ ^{39}\text{Mg} $, using a suite of realistic theoretical approaches rooted in the open quantum system framework. Method: To describe the spectrum and decay modes of $ ^{39}\text{Mg} $ we use the conventional Shell Model, Gamow Shell Model, Resonating Group Method, Density Matrix Renormalization Group method, and the non-adiabatic Particle-Plus-Rotor model formulated in the Berggren basis. Results: The unbound ground state of $ ^{39}\text{Mg} $ is predicted to be either a $ J^{\pi} = {7/2}^- $ state or a $ {3/2}^- $ state. A narrow $ J^{\pi} = {7/2}^- $ ground-state candidate exhibits a resonant structure reminiscent of that of its one-neutron halo neighbor $ ^{37}\text{Mg} $, which is dominated by the $ f_{7/2} $ partial wave at short distances and a $ p_{3/2} $ component at large distances. A $ J^{\pi}={3/2}^- $ ground-state candidate is favored by the large deformation of the system. It can be associated with the $ {1/2}^- [321] $ Nilsson orbital dominated by the $\ell=1$ wave; hence its predicted width is large. The excited $J^{\pi} = {1/2}^-$ and $5/2^-$ states are expected to be broad resonances, while the $ J^{\pi} = {9/2}^- $ and $ {11/2}^- $ members of the ground-state rotational band are predicted to have very small neutron decay widths. Conclusion: We demonstrate that the subtle interplay between deformation, shell structure, and continuum coupling can result in a variety of excitations in an unbound nucleus just outside the neutron drip line.

An above-barrier narrow resonance in 15 F

Intense and purified radioactive beam of post-accelerated $^{14}$O was used to study the low-lying states in the unbound $^{15}$F nucleus. Exploiting resonant elastic scattering in inverse kinematics with a thick target, the second excited state, a resonance at E$\_R$=4.757(6)(10)~MeV with a width of $\Gamma$=36(5)(14)~keV was measured for the first time with high precision. The structure of this narrow above-barrier state in a nucleus located two neutrons beyond the proton drip line was investigated using the Gamow Shell Model in the coupled channel representation with a $^{12}$C core and three valence protons. It is found that it is an almost pure wave function of two quasi-bound protons in the $2s\_{1/2}$ shell.

AstrophysicalS-factor for6Li(ρ, γ)7Be in the coupled-channel Gamow shell model

We have applied the Gamow shell model (GSM) in the coupled-channel representation to study the astrophysical $S$-factor for the proton radiative capture reaction of $^6$Li. Reaction channels are built by coupling the proton wave function expanded in different partial waves with the GSM wave functions of the ground state ($1^+$) and the excited states ($3^+_1$, $0^+_1$ and $2^+_1$) of $^6$Li. All relevant $E1$, $M1$, and $E2$ transitions from the initial continuum states in $^7$Be to the final bound states (${3/2}^-_1$ and ${1/2}^-_1$) states are included. It is found that the calculated total astrophysical $S$ factor for this reaction agrees well with the experimental data.

Description of the proton and neutron radiative capture reactions in the Gamow shell model

We formulate the Gamow shell model (GSM) in coupled-channel (CC) representation for the description of proton/neutron radiative capture reactions and present the first application of this new formalism for the calculation of cross sections in mirror reactions $^{7}\mathrm{Be}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{8}\mathrm{B}$ and $^{7}\mathrm{Li}{(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})}^{8}\mathrm{Li}$. The GSM-CC formalism is applied to a translationally invariant Hamiltonian with an effective finite-range two-body interaction. Reactions channels are built by GSM wave functions for the ground state $3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and the first excited state $1/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ of $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$/$^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ and the proton/neutron wave function expanded in different partial waves.

Ab initio no core full configuration approach for light nuclei

Comprehensive understanding of the structure and reactions of light nuclei poses theoretical and computational challenges. Still, a number of ab initio approaches have been developed to calculate the properties of atomic nuclei using fundamental interactions among nucleons. Among them, we work with the ab initio no core full configuration (NCFC) method and ab initio no core Gamow Shell Model (GSM). We first review these approaches and present some recent results.

Precise comparison of the Gaussian expansion method and the Gamow shell model

We perform a detailed comparison of results of the Gamow Shell Model (GSM) and the Gaussian Expansion Method (GEM) supplemented by the complex scaling (CS) method for the same translationally-invariant cluster-orbital shell model (COSM) Hamiltonian. As a benchmark test, we calculate the ground state $0^{+}$ and the first excited state $2^{+}$ of mirror nuclei $^{6}$He and $^{6}$Be in the model space consisting of two valence nucleons in $p$-shell outside of a $^{4}$He core. We find a good overall agreement of results obtained in these two different approaches, also for many-body resonances.

Gamow shell model description of proton scattering onNe18

Background: The structure of weakly bound/unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines is different from that around the valley of beta stability. A comprehensive description of these systems goes beyond the standard shell model (SM) and demands an open quantum system description of the nuclear many-body system.Purpose: For that purpose, we are using the Gamow shell model (GSM), which provides a fully microscopic description of bound and unbound nuclear states, nuclear decays, and reactions. We formulate the GSM in coupled-channel (GSM-CC) representation to describe low-energy elastic and inelastic scattering of protons on $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$.Method: The GSM-CC formalism is applied to a translationally invariant Hamiltonian with an effective finite-range two-body interaction. We discuss in detail the GSM-CC formalism in coordinate space and give the description of the novel equivalent potential method for solving the GSM-CC system of integrodifferential equations. This method is then applied for the description of $(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ reaction cross-sections. The reactions channels are built by GSM wave functions for the ground state ${0}^{+}$ and the first excited ${2}^{+}$ of $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$ and a proton wave function expanded in different partial waves. The completeness of this basis is verified by comparing GSM and GSM-CC energies of low-energy resonant states in $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$. The differences between the two calculations provide a measure of the missing configurations in the GSM-CC calculation of low-energy states of $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$ due to the restriction on the number of excited states of $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$.Results: We present the first application of the GSM-CC formalism for the calculation of excited states of $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$ and $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$, the excitation function, and the elastic/inelastic differential cross-sections in the $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$$(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ reaction at different energies. This is the first unified description of the spectra and reaction cross-sections in the GSM formalism. The method is shown to be both feasible and accurate. The approximate equivalence of GSM and GSM-CC in describing spectra of $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$ has been demonstrated numerically.Conclusions: The GSM in the coupled-channel representation opens a possibility for the unified description of low-energy nuclear structure and reactions using the same Hamiltonian. While both GSM and GSM-CC can describe energies, widths, and wave functions of the many-body states, the GSM-CC can in addition yield reaction cross-sections. The combined application of GSM and GSM-CC to describe energies of resonant states allows to test the exactitude of calculated cross-sections for a given many-body Hamiltonian.

Nuclear three-body problem in the complex energy plane: Complex-scaling Slater method

The physics of open quantum systems is an interdisciplinary area of research. The nuclear "openness" manifests itself through the presence of the many-body continuum representing various decay, scattering, and reaction channels. As the radioactive nuclear beam experimentation extends the known nuclear landscape towards the particle drip lines, the coupling to the continuum space becomes exceedingly more important. Of particular interest are weakly bound and unbound nuclear states appearing around particle thresholds. Theories of such nuclei must take into account their open quantum nature. To describe open quantum systems, we introduce a Complex Scaling (CS) approach in the Slater basis. We benchmark it with the complex-energy Gamow Shell Model (GSM) by studying energies and wave functions of the bound and unbound states of the two-neutron halo nucleus 6He viewed as an $\alpha$+ n + n cluster system. In the CS approach, we use the Slater basis, which exhibits the correct asymptotic behavior at large distances. To extract particle densities from the back-rotated CS solutions, we apply the Tikhonov regularization procedure, which minimizes the ultraviolet numerical noise. While standard applications of the inverse complex transformation to the complex-rotated solution provide unstable results, the stabilization method fully reproduces the GSM benchmark. We also propose a method to determine the smoothing parameter of the Tikhonov regularization. The combined suite of CS-Slater and GSM techniques has many attractive features when applied to nuclear problems involving weakly-bound and unbound states. While both methods can describe energies, total widths, and wave functions of nuclear states, the CS-Slater method, if it can be applied, can provide an additional information about partial energy widths associated with individual thresholds.

Ab initiono-core Gamow shell model calculations with realistic interactions

No-core Gamow shell model (NCGSM) is applied to study selected well-bound and unbound states of helium isotopes. This model is formulated on the complex energy plane and, by using a complete Berggren ensemble, treats bound, resonant, and scattering states on equal footing. We use the density matrix renormalization group method to solve the many-body Schr\"odinger equation. To test the validity of our approach, we benchmarked the NCGSM results against Faddeev and Faddeev-Yakubovsky exact calculations for ${}^{3}$H and ${}^{4}$He nuclei. We also performed ab initio NCGSM calculations for the unstable nucleus ${}^{5}$He and determined the ground-state energy and decay width, starting from a realistic N${}^{3}$LO chiral interaction.

Weakly bound systems, continuum effects and reactions

Structure of weakly bound/unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines is different from that around the valley of beta stability. A comprehensive description of these systems goes beyond standard Shell Model (SM) and demands an open quantum system description of the nuclear many-body system. We approach this problem using the Gamow Shell Model (GSM) which provides a fully microscopic description of bound and unbound nuclear states, nuclear decays and reactions. We present in this paper the first application of the GSM for a description of the elastic and inelastic scattering of protons on 6He.

Effective Field Theory and the Gamow Shell Model

We combine Halo/Cluster Effective Field Theory (H/CEFT) and the Gamow Shell Model (GSM) to describe the $0^+$ ground state of $\rm{^6He}$ as a three-body halo system. We use two-body interactions for the neutron-alpha particle and two-neutron pairs obtained from H/CEFT at leading order, with parameters determined from scattering in the p$_{3/2}$ and s$_0$ channels, respectively. The three-body dynamics of the system is solved using the GSM formalism, where the continuum states are incorporated in the shell model valence space. We find that in the absence of three-body forces the system collapses, since the binding energy of the ground state diverges as cutoffs are increased. We show that addition at leading order of a three-body force with a single parameter is sufficient for proper renormalization and to fix the binding energy to its experimental value.